Business Plan Proposal

Our business idea is to develop a web based service dedicated to helping musicians find recording and rehearsal facilities. We aim to generate a platform which will assist aspiring artists in locating an ideal studio which suits their needs. By creating an immediate connection between artist and studios, our service will enable a mutual benefit for all parties. We believe we have identified a niche gap in the market that has strong potential.

 

Our service will be centered around the development of a website which will be accompanied by a mobile application to increase accessibility. The website will act as a search engine capable of locating and presenting the nearest studios to the user through a pinned map. Whilst browsing through the various results, the user will be able to discover useful information on the selected option such as : recent record history, associated record labels, available internships, photo gallery, equipment list and staff. Additionally, upon signing up clients will have the ability of rating and reviewing their experience in the studio. We believe this rating system will enable greater confidence for potential future clients.

 

The target market we have identified for our service includes established recording artists/bands, up and coming artists, producers, industry professionals and musicians requiring rehearsal space. Our service will not only be restricted to the music recording sector, as we aim to expand into the cinematography industry. For example, film companies as well as independant sound designers, re-recording mixers and sound editors, will easily manage to locate post production facilities for their sound team.

 

Initially, the website will only cater to the Oxfordshire county with the administration being based at home. However, we envisage expanding this service to a greater geographical area. This would lead to implementing office spaces for servers and administration as the company progresses.

The development of our concept will start with a business plan. This business plan will contain vital information regarding our  approach and the development of our business idea. More specifically, it will cover a list of individual roles allocated within the group with a job description; a target market and customer analysis; a Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats analysis; a Political, Economical, Social and Technological analysis; a management plan and financial assumptions for the company. We will also provide a detailed description of the company and the services it includes.

 

 

Log Book – Mixing Process – post 3

In this final log book post, i’ll be discussing how I mixed and edited my track for the P1 assignment.

Having heard the raw recording in the studio during the session, I already had a few ideas of how I wanted it to sound as an end product. That along with the reference track which I had used (Original EP song – same song however EP version – I was recording Live version of the EP) which had also assisted me to some extent with the mix process.

Of-course, due to the nature of the recording session (live recording – 6 piece band – small room), I knew I would face issues with bleed, and leakage from other instruments and such. Originally I was really stressing out about this, as I’ve never experienced mixing a live recording session, as well as record it.
After researching online and using multiple different resources (YouTube – Warren Huart – Bobby Owsinski’s ‘The Mix Engineer’s Handbook…) , I have managed to make my way around the mix.

I started off by monitoring the drums as generally, its the most dynamic aspect of a record… And also started mixing the drums 1st, then moving on through the track accordingly:

* Parallel compressed the drums using a technique called the LA compression technique – which involves compressing the drums, as well as the bass (in one BUS) then add/mix level it with the dry drums.
* Also used the ‘Excitement’ technique on the drums (kick drum) which involves a LPF and a HPF on separate channels and also mixing that with the dry signal.
* Used gating on Snare drum to attenuate or eliminate the unnecessary bleed from surrounding sound sources.

Furthermore, having used some techniques I picked up on during my research, I started completing ‘orthodox’ mixing techniques on the record, using EQ’s, dynamics (compression) as well as some vocal thickening techniques, such as the Oral Excitement on the vocals using cool/interesting FX which I had never thought would work on a live recording.

Overall, I would like to say that I’ve tried my best to mix this record up to a decent standard.
Having experienced the issues I outlined on my previous post, I think if I wasn’t so unlucky with the microphone choices, baffling material as well as the shortage of mic stands, I could’ve potentially had a better chance of ending up with a more well rounded record.

I hope you enjoyed my journey of recording this band, and this is not the end.

Thank you! 🙂

Log Book – Recording stage – post 2

In this post, I will be discussing my experience of recording the band, PVC.

Unfortunately, due to a mega session taking place at the same time in the neighbouring studio (Neve Genesys), I was left short of many resources that I had planned to use during my recording session. This included microphones, baffling walls and mic stands!
This had actually impacted me and my assistant quiet intensely. After finding out my preferred microphones were booked out, I had to swiftly research and figure out replacement  microphones. After overcoming this, I found myself in another hurdle; there wasn’t enough functioning mic stands for me to use… SO, I and my assistant started building mic stands out of parts we could find around the facility. This of-course was unfortunate, as it meant that I could’t potentially get every microphone that I wanted, set-up properly.
After doing our best, we managed to save and build a few mic stands, however it still wan’t enough for my pre-planned set-up. This impacted me hugely as I couldn’t set-up all my microphones, meaning that sacrifices had to be made. E.g. I didn’t get to mic up every aspect of the session as I had planned; certain aspects of the drum-kit etc…

Another issue I faced was that there weren’t enough baffles for me to use. As I had originally planned to baffle all Amps involved in the recording, as well as the surrounding perimeter of each musician and their instrument.
Especially since it was a live recording, of 6 band members all in a fairly small room, I was pretty stressed out.
Luckily, I had booked the studio 2 hours prior to the session start time (initially for setting up) – giving me sometime to re-plan and make some changes and modifications.

Nonetheless, I managed to get replacement microphones, managed to save a few mic stands, and also had to make do with the available baffles(4 baffle walls).

Once the band has arrived on campus, we had everything set up and ready to go for the band to start rehearsing/jamming, during which I and my assistant ran levels checking of the incoming signals, as well as set-up the pro tools session accordingly.
After around 2 hours of rehearsing and jamming, we managed to start recording some material for the EP.
We didn’t manage to record the whole  track EP, however future dates for potential sessions are being discussed at the moment. I have however managed to record 2 tracks, one of which I have chosen for my P1 assignment.

To give you an idea of the baffling and session set-up, i’ve attached some pictures
 

In the next post, I will be talking about my mixing process, and how I got my track to sound the way it did.

Log Book – Pre Production Planning (post 1)

In the next 3 posts, I will be documenting my journey, which started form looking for a band, to mixing the record that was recorded.

My task was to find, plan, record and mix a band using the on-campus facilities.

My initial step was online researching for a band, as I personally didn’t have connections with any local bands.
I managed to stumble upon a reggae band online, on Gumtree! Initially, they were looking for other musicians to join their band, however I thought I’d take advantage of this opportunity and step forward to them with the opportunity of working with each other.
After exchanging emails with each other, I was informed that they wanted to record a live 5 track EP, with me using one of the songs for my assignment.

After this, I started planning for the session accordingly:

* Created a session plan, detailing my mic positions, choices.
* Also created a room plan of the TLA studio live room.
To give you an idea of this, I have attached a room plan of the potential musician allocations in the TLA live room.

Also attached parts of my session planning, showing you how I planned to carry out the recording.

During the planning stages, I had to look and source for session musicians (Lead guitarist, drummer, and a keys player) to fill in for the band as a few of the band’s members were abroad on tour. I also had to source some equipment and gear to help assist me with the recording (Amps for bass, the keys and guitar, as well as a Re-amp box).

In my next blog post, i’ll be sharing with you my experience during the recording of the band, PVC (Positive Vibes Crew).

Post 4 – Further development

Hello

In this post, I will be discussing with you one of my weaknesses, and how I can develop that weakness, eventually turning it into a strength.

My weakness that I will be discussing is Maths.
Mathematically, I feel that I am quiet weak. I think this is mainly due to the fact that I haven’t practiced maths consistently since sitting for my GCSE’s, 6 years ago.

I understand that maths is essential in everyday life for many people, and for me it will become an essential part of my future considering that I’m pursuing an Audio Production degree.
I recognise it importance to my course, and I have to build on my current knowledge and develop that further to a satisfying level.

Improving my maths will mean:
* Daily practices of maths in the required topics
* Asking for assistance, whether from staff at university, or privately seeking
* Using all of the resources available to me, E.g. Text books, Online revision resources etc…
* Attending workshops/tutorials available at university

I believe that if I polish up on my maths, it will help me to complete the course at a high standard, also it will add onto my life skill sets, which will then in return help increase my chances of success.

Post 3 – Strengths, weaknesses and development

Hello

In this post, I shall be touching on my strengths, weaknesses and the key areas I think I should develop in to help me get to where I want to be.

Strengths:
* Open mind: I have an open mind in general, however musically, I have a very open/flexible taste and I think this is a strength as it allows me to pick different aspects up of different genres and incorporate that into my own work.
Also to feed back by peers/mentors etc, I feel that I’m able to accept constructive criticism well, and never look at it negatively, however as a positive way to change. For example, a creative suggestion by a friend or staff will not be dismissed as I think its purely subjective, however I would take that on as an ‘idea’ or and ‘alternative’, and use that in my future work.

* Clear ears: I would like to think that I have a good ear when it comes to the clarity of music. I believe this is a strength as it will help me identify cleaner sounds to use for my production, and also help my direct and arrange the record as a whole in a more ‘finished’ way. For example, I will find it ‘natural’ to put different sounds and instruments together, combining that to produce a clear/clean record, as opposed to a mushy/muddy record.

Weaknesses:
* Maths: This is not my strongest point, and I want to develop my maths skills as I know it will be necessary for me and for further development in this course.

* Music theory: I feel if i strengthen my theory side of producing a record. I feel as like this will enable me to enhance my production as I will have a much better understanding of how to use instruments/effects/dynamics in a record, thus enabling me to make a more ‘professionally’ finished record.

Development: I need to develop on all my weaknesses highlighted above, as when combined together, will enable me to increase my ‘success’ rate.

Post 2 – Reflection

Hello,

In this post, I’ll be discussing my previous work and experiences in the Audio/production field.

About 5 years ago, I downloaded the first piece of software that enabled me to put my ideas into real life examples, and thats FL (Fruity loops Studio).
Using this, I was able to develop my producing skills and techniques.

I learnt that there is no limit to how much you can add to a piece of music, You are your own limitation. So I wanted to explore the subject more, and I started to clock on to the different aspects of music production. For example the engineering side to a production, Mixing/Mastering and how that is as important to a finished record as the creativity of the record itself.

Having reached a certain level of confidence, I started experimenting with samples and came to grasps on how to carve/chop/slice a sample into a track and use that as my main body/melody of the record.
I fell in love with this idea, and also since sampling was widely used in the hip-hop that I listen to, I knew this is the type of music I wanted to continue building up-on and exploring.

I know that there are certain aspects of production that I have not yet tapped on/or figured out, either due to my knowledge or lack of resources. This is why I have made the decision to come to SAE and study Audio Production.

Introduction to me!

Hello,
My name is Abdul Hamid. I am 21 years old and I am currently studying Audio Production at the SAE Institute in Oxford.

Previously, I was a student at the university of Kent for 2 years, studying a whole different subject to what I am now, and that was Business Management. I liked it to some extent, however I couldn’t picture myself working a 9-5 everyday in that environment for the rest of my life.

Music is one of my biggest passions, and its the passion that I have decided to pursue as a career.
I am into many different genres of music, however Hip-hop is my favourite, and I highly enjoy producing that.

I’m more into the ‘old school’ style of hip-hop (as its refereed to by today’s youth), and I also love to produce that type of hip-hop, as I believe it is what authentic/true/original hip-hop is and no what its become today. Having said that, I understand that change is due, and that the music industry has and still is changing dramatically, both economically, as well as creatively, and as a tool (producer) in the industry, I understand that our production has to accommodate that change in a way.

Ideally, my career aspiration is to establish myself as a hip-hop producer, build a solid portfolio, and give people that feel good hip-hop that isn’t around anymore.